What a difference a single day can make. One moment, Rudy Giuliani is pleading his case to a federal judge, claiming medical woes and credible death threats. The next, he’s filing a declaration that seems to dance around his earlier statements. Let’s break it all down in simple terms because this story has everything—courtroom drama, political intrigue, and even ginger mints!
Wednesday: The Plea for Remote Attendance
On Wednesday, Giuliani told a Washington, D.C. judge he couldn’t safely attend a contempt hearing in person. Why? He cited severe knee pain, heart issues requiring stents, lung troubles needing an inhaler, and some very serious threats tied to his outspoken criticism of Iran.
His argument was clear: traveling posed significant risks. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell didn’t dismiss his concerns outright. Instead, she set a condition: if Giuliani wanted to appear remotely, he had to swear—under penalty of perjury—that his health and safety issues meant he hadn’t traveled in the last 30 days and wouldn’t travel in the next 30.
Thursday: The Turnaround
By Thursday, Giuliani’s tone had shifted. In a formal declaration, he clarified he wasn’t saying he couldn’t travel, just that he probably shouldn’t. According to Giuliani, the death threats are real, and his health issues are serious. But he also noted that he plans to attend Trump’s inauguration in January 2025—describing it as a “once-in-a-lifetime” event that’s worth braving the risks.
In a dramatic twist, Giuliani withdrew his request for a remote appearance. “I had hoped the court would accommodate my needs,” he said, but since things weren’t working out, he committed to showing up in person for Friday’s hearing.
Why Is Giuliani in Hot Water?
This contempt hearing stems from a defamation case brought by election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss. Back in 2023, Giuliani was found guilty of spreading lies about these women, including baseless claims that they tampered with vote counts to favor Joe Biden. The court awarded the women $148 million in damages.
Here’s the kicker: Giuliani allegedly hasn’t paid up and has continued to defame Freeman and Moss despite agreeing to stop. The women are now asking the judge to impose fines every time Giuliani makes defamatory remarks about them. One such remark happened recently on Giuliani’s livestream, where he recycled debunked claims involving surveillance footage at a Georgia polling station.
Fun fact: what Giuliani called a “hard drive” being passed between Freeman and Moss? It was actually a ginger mint, as testified by Moss in Congress.
Back in New York
Giuliani’s troubles aren’t confined to D.C. Earlier this week, he faced another contempt ruling in New York for failing to surrender assets as part of his payment obligations to Freeman and Moss. Judge Lewis Liman is still determining the penalties for that.
The Bigger Picture
The former NYC mayor and Trump attorney is juggling medical challenges, financial woes, and mounting legal battles. His lawyers argue his travel poses risks due to health issues and threats from critics of his stance on Iran, especially amidst current global tensions.
What’s Next?
All eyes are on Judge Howell as she decides whether Giuliani’s latest moves warrant further contempt penalties. The stakes are high, and the drama continues to unfold.
Stay tuned—because if there’s one thing Giuliani’s legal saga guarantees, it’s that tomorrow could bring another surprising twist!